Although not accurately recorded, Black theater has been around since 1664 when African American slaves were forced to sing and dance for white crews. But recently, African American theater has gained significant recognition with actors on tv as well as Broadway, and important figures behind the scenes as well such as play writes. However, blacks would never have gotten to this point if it hadn't been for John Leacock's play The Fall of British Tyranny which was the first play to feature African Americans in a positive light. Following, William Wells Brown wrote the first black play in America and the African Grove Theatre was founded which recited plays and musicals for mixed audiences. Blacks got their first spot as audience members for a white production in 1853 for a production of Uncle Tom. The blacks began to get ripped off by "The Minstrelsy" who were whites performing black humor song and dance, parading full-on black face in 1828. To take back control, Sam Jack produced a burlesque Creole Show with beautiful black women, which ran in Chicago and New York. In 1902, In Dahomey was the first all black musical to reach Broadway, beginning a movement to stop the minstrels. Black theatre flourished in the 1920's and all black musicals became very popular. However, entering the depression, the black theatre still continued to evolve. More than 100 blacks were cast in the white-written The Green Pastures. During this time, Langston Hughes was recognized as one of America's greatest black writers. During the 50's and 60's, the rise of television made audiences lose interest in theatre, but a rise in the civil rights movement inspired blacks to develop their own aesthetic. Professional black theatres began to appear everywhere. By the end of the 60's and beginning of the 70's, black theatre rose and fell with government movements. The hope of black theatre continuing today lies in the idea that all Americans should learn its history and uniqueness. White theatre still dominates, but black theatre will always be fighting to take the driver's seat.